The Next Big Thing

In Another Language

Show #404

Friday, September 26, 2003

The pleasures and pains of translation. Cognitive and computer scientist Douglas Hofstadter on why he likes to re-write poetry and lyrics. Los Angeles Times Book Review editor Steve Wasserman on the politics of translation. Writer Jonathan Ames, speaking the language of caffeine. And singer Barbara Cook, who makes other people’s great songs into her own great songs.

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Without Translation

There is growing discontent among writers and scholars about the dearth of literary translations published in the United States. Los Angeles Times Book Review editor Steve Wasserman discusses what’s at stake. Also, excerpts from a reading at the Kitchen, a Manhattan performance space, of literature from the “Axis of Evil.” The event marks the launch of an on-line magazine, wordswithoutborders.org, dedicated to literature in translation. Produced by Julie Subrin.

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You’re the Steam… in my Cappuccino

Indiana University Professor of Cognitive Science and Computer Science Douglas Hofstadter is famous for his book on translation, Le Ton beau de Marot: In Praise of the Musicality of Language. More recently, he and his students have been at work “translating” Cole Porter’s “You’re the Top” to make it more timely. He and undergrad Adam Tierney share some of their favorite verses. Produced by Michael Kavanagh.

If you’d like submit your own version of “You’re the Top,” sing us a message at (212) 669-4546. And please leave a phone number so we can reach you.

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Cole Porter, 1937

Fiction, derived in part from fact, about the unpredictable nature of the creative process. Written and read by John Haskell.

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Fishing for a Song

Even the best of singers have to stumble around before they find “their” rendition of a song. And sometimes, it hides itself pretty well, as Next Big Thing contributor Jesse Green found out in rehearsal with legendary singer Barbara Cook. Produced by Emily Botein.

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Sandwiched

Heard on the street: a curator sandwiched between his artists’ visions (in placard form), and the people who pass by him on the Fulton Mall in Brooklyn. Produced by Jill Krauss.

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Caffeine Makeover

A story of transformation – before Jonathan Ames has had his first cup of coffee in the morning, and after.

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Not Spain

Postcards from Spain, or from a place that sounds like Spain. Sent to us by Natalie Kestecher, who wrote and produced the piece for the Australian Broadcasting Company’s series “Radio Eye.” The male voice belongs to Javier LaTorre. Sound by Roi Huberman and Judy Rapely. Poetry by Pablo Neruda.